Day 1 Bell StART Ceramics

Welcome Back! Write in Your Sketch Book:

The Ten Golden Rules of Ceramics1. Clay must be thoroughly covered up with a plastic bag to

keep it from drying out. This applies to works in progress and moist clay.

2. Clay dust can be harmful if you are exposed to it for long periods of time, so keep your area clean, clay scraps off the floor and clean with water and a rag.

3. Clay can be no thicker than your thumb.4. In order for clay to stick together it MUST be scored and

slipped together while the clay is moist or leather hard.5. Wedge clay to remove air bubbles, achieve uniform

consistency, and to line up the particles of clay. (tomorrow you will copy 6-10)

Today’s GoalFor returning and new students in the class:

1.View website for Weekly BellStART and access to syllabus and vocabulary terms

2.Review classroom rules and find cubbies for new students

3.Listen and take notes from your teacher’s demonstration of our make-shift “pot shop”

4. In your SKB render the image of the Octopus Jar with a pencil in a ¾ of the page picture plane, and/or receive a block of clay (if you remembered your plastic bags)

Our “Pot Shop”

• Backpacks/smocks• Clay• Storage/Write name on label• Tools• Clean-up/lotion• Clay vessel/ identification of parts

MinoanMarine Style octopus jar,

from Palaikastros, c. 1500 BCE. Approx. 11” high.

LIP/MOUTH

ARMS

SHOULDER

NECK------------------

BODY

FOOT---------

Day 2 Bell StART Ceramics

Write in Your Sketch Book:

6. Trapped air can cause clay to explode. So hollow out sculptural forms and put needle holes from the bottom so air can escape.

7. Don't glaze the bottom of a piece. 8. Always wash the piece before glazing.9. Always handle your project with two hands at

all times. In other words BE CAREFUL it’s your hard work.

10. NEVER HANDLE ANOTHER PERSONS WORK EVEN IF IT LOOKS COOL!

Raku pinch pot approx. 4" diameter

Raku pinch pot approx. 2.5" diameter

Bowl with Human Feet, c.3750–3550 BC, possibly late Naqada I or early Naqada II, Predynastic period. Made from Nile clay

Vessel with Two Feet (Iran, 1000–800 BCE). Red clay.

The pottery kuei pitcher is a typical vessel type of the Ta-wen-k’ou and Shantung Lung-shan culture.

Bird with ding vesselsWestern Han dynasty

(206 BCE–9 CE)Clay with natural pigments

H. 53.5 cm, L. 40 cm, W. 45 cmExcavated 1969, Wuyingshan, Jinan Municipality

Collection of Jinan Municipal Museum

Today’s Demonstration

• Adding clay-slip and score• Coil technique• Slab • Slump mold• Storage• Slow dry

Day 3 Bell StART Ceramics

Write in Your Sketch Book:

• WEDGING - Method of kneading clay to make it homogenous; ridding the clay of all air pockets.

TODAY’S Goal:• Work on your pinch-pot with feet, keep your

clay “plastic” and receive clean-up duty

Day 4 Bell StART Ceramics

Write in Your Sketch Book:

• SLIP – A liquid form of clay used as a glue or as decoration.

• PLASTICITY - Quality of clay that allows it to be manipulated and still maintain its shape without cracking or sagging.

**Homework: In your sketch book draw an idea of the pinch pot w/feet you will build. Also, Print out the vocabulary terms and keep in your SKB.